Rico Fata

Rico Fata (born February 12, 1980 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently with EHC Biel of the Swiss NLA. He has also played for the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Washington Capitals of the NHL.

Fata's career started as a 15 year old, when he played for his hometown Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. In the 1996 OHL Entry Draft, Fata was selected first overall by the last place London Knights. In his 3 seasons in London, the team became a top team in the OHL, reaching the Finals in 1999, but losing in 7 games to the Belleville Bulls. Fata's brother Drew currently plays for the Boston Bruins.

Rico Fata was drafted in the 1st Round, 6th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. Despite his high draft position, he was not able to maintain a spot in the Flames lineup. He won the AHL Calder Cup with the Saint John Flames in 2001. He was placed on waivers by the Flames and was claimed by the New York Rangers. He spent one and a half seasons with the Rangers before going to the Pittsburgh Penguins in an 8–player deal. On January 31, 2006, the Atlanta Thrashers claimed him off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins. On March 9, 2006, the Washington Capitals claimed him off waivers from the Atlanta Thrashers. He played 10 games at the start of the 2006–07 NHL season with Washington before being waived through the league.

On November 8, 2006 Fata signed a contract with the Mannheim Eagles of the German Elite League. On September 8, 2008 he signed a contract with the EHC Biel.